Science

Intent

The Science curriculum at St Richard's aims to give all children a strong understanding of the world around them, providing them with specific skills and knowledge, and helping them to think scientifically and gain an understanding of scientific processes.  It also develops their understanding of the uses and implications of Science, today and for the future.

Our intention is to develop children into budding scientists, who care for the world around them, are curious about what they see and experience, and are able to use science to understand how human activity impacts on the planet and how we can carry out our duty of care for God’s creation.

Implementation

A range of science topics are taught in every year group, linked where appropriate to the class topic theme. Scientific enquiry skills are embedded in each topic and these are revisited and developed throughout the children’s time at St Richard’s. Topics such as Plants or Materials, for example, are taught in Key Stage One and studied again in further detail throughout Key Stage Two. This model allows children to build upon their prior knowledge and increases their enthusiasm for the topics, providing progression in skills and knowledge, and developing mastery.

 All children are encouraged to develop and use a range of skills including observations, planning and investigations, as well as being encouraged to question the world around them and become independent learners in exploring possible answers for their science-based questions. Specialist vocabulary for topics is taught and built up, and effective questioning to communicate ideas is encouraged.

Impact

Our children leave primary school with a sense of excitement and curiosity. Throughout their time at St Richard's the children are exposed to a wealth of scientific vocabulary and experience many types of science enquiries that help them to answer relevant questions about the world around them. 

 The children relate their science learning inside the classroom to the real world. Reinforcing their understanding that science is everywhere and is for everyone! Our children head off to secondary school - to begin the next stage of their science learning - with numerous positive memories, confidence and enthusiasm for the subject.